Kutztown University to name its football stadium in Andre Reed's honor

What's the latest in store for former Dieruff and Kutztown University standout Andre Reed?

If you thought the Andre Reed celebrations ended with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last month in Canton, you were badly mistaken. The honors and accolades keep pouring in.

Kutztown University announced Thursday it will rename its football stadium, now known as University Field, as Andre Reed Stadium during a ceremony Oct. 18.

To recognize the facility's 78-history, the official title will be University Field at Andre Reed Stadium.

"Andre Reed is one of the best players ever to play the game of pro football, and his induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to that," said Kutztown's acting president, Carlos Vargas-Aburto, in a news release. "We are truly honored to name our stadium after a Golden Bear legend."

Reed starred at Kutztown from 1981-84, setting nine school records and being named to the all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference team three times, including the first team twice. He finished his college career with 142 catches for 2,020 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Ex-Dieruff, Kutztown and Buffalo Bills star Andre Reed has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I am deeply honored and flattered by the announcement that my alma mater Kutztown University will be naming the stadium I played in Andre Reed Stadium," Reed said in another school release. "This is quite special to me. It is my understanding that the naming of the stadium is a salute to my career and my accomplishments on the football field; it honors not only me but the entire Reed family.

"I am so proud to receive these acknowledgments from the university and I will do my level best to promote the university as a center of higher learning and symbol of athletic excellence. Kutztown prepared me for life … it is my hope and goal that others will follow in my steps and that other NFL careers and maybe a Hall of Famer will come from Kutztown in the years to come."

Reed returned to his studies at Kutztown University and earned a bachelor's degree in 2005.

"Andre is truly the most decorated athletic alumnus in the history of our university," said Greg Bamberger, Kutztown's director of athletics. "He is the only Pro Football Hall of Famer ever in the long and storied history of the PSAC, and we are proud to call him a Golden Bear."

The 5,600-seat stadium will be dedicated during a pre-game ceremony set to begin at 1 p.m. The ceremony will precede the Golden Bears' game against PSAC East rival Bloomsburg.

This Sunday, Reed and his entire family will be returning to Buffalo, where Reed will receive his Hall of Fame ring during a halftime ceremony on the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium that is sure to include a huge ovation from the football fans from western New York state who were so evident throughout Hall of Fame weekend in Canton.

There are also plans in the works in Allentown to rename a street and perhaps a park in honor of Reed, and there have been preliminary discussions about naming the field at the school district's J. Birney Crum Stadium.

Nothing has been finalized, however.

"Andre told me that it was all over after the Hall of Fame ceremony, but it's not over yet. … not at all," said Joyce Reed-Ebling, Andre's mother and a North Whitehall Township resident. "Andre's doing great. He has been busier than ever. He was in Buffalo for a reception honoring [former Bills owner Ralph Wilson] and he was even in New York City doing some modeling with [Jets quarterback] Geno Smith.

"Having the stadium at Kutztown University named in his honor is amazing. I'm overwhelmed by everything. It just keeps coming. I can't get over all this fuss about my kid. I'm just an ordinary person. I'm not Hollywood or anything. But Andre has made it big and people want to keep honoring him. I'm just glad most people like him."

Carly Lenett swimathon

On Saturday, 9-year-old Carly Lenett of Macungie will swim 200 laps (3 miles) in the Emmaus High pool to meet her fundraising goal of $25,000 for the American Diabetes Association.

Lenett has been a Type-1 (insulin dependent) diabetic since she was 3 and is the Lehigh Valley's Youth Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association. She has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 4.

This will not be her first swimathon. In 2013, she swam 1.5 miles (100 laps) and raised $11,000 for the ADA. In 2012, she raised $9,000.

Lenett said she tries to set a healthful example for others.

"You can do it and don't be afraid," she said. "I just watch my blood sugar, and I test to make sure it's OK. Exercise is good for your blood sugar and it's really fun."

Lenett, who is sponsored by PA Foot and Ankle Associates, wants kids to know that having diabetes doesn't mean you can't be a regular kid. In addition to swimming, she also does gymnastics, runs, rides horses, and loves to paint.

Olympic silver medalist Kristy Kowal will be swimming alongside Lenett on Saturday, just as she did last year.

Kowal, a resident of Berks County, was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in Sydney, Australia, in 2009, winning the silver in the 200-meter breaststroke. She previously starred at the University of Georgia and was named the NCAA swimmer of the year in 1999.

WAEB-FM (B104) radio is sponsoring the event and will give spectators an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to see Demi Lovato's concert in Hershey on Oct. 24.